A referendum on independence from Ukraine shows strong support for secession, according to separatist leaders in the districts where Sunday's vote was held. Kiev and Western governments say the vote is illegitimate.

Harry Potter and The Hunger Games haven't been big hits for nothing. Lots of teens and adolescents still read quite a lot. But a roundup of studies, put together by the non-profit Common Sense Media, shows a clear decline over time.

The board of the State Universities Retirement System has voted to accept a new interpretation of last year's pension reform law. The vote at Thursday's meeting in Chicago should prevent thousands of employees from losing portions of their pension benefits.

A House committee on Thursday voted to issue a subpoena to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki over allegations of delays at VA hospitals that may have caused as many as 40 deaths of patients waiting for care.